Banana-crate.



No. 797,209. PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905. A. M. MEYER & P. COSTA. BANANACRATE.

lAPILIOAION FILED MAR.11,1905.

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" SllllllFS PATENT OFFICE.

ANTON M. MEYER AND PETER COSTA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOS, ASSIGNORS TOGINOCCHIO, COSTA t COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, lLLlNOll, A FIRM.

BANANA-GHT..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug'. 15, 1905.

To all whom, it may concern:

Beitknown that we, ANTON M. MEYER and PETER Cos'ra, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State oflllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBanana-Crates, of which the 'following' is a specification.

The object of this invention is to providea strong and serviceable andat the same time inexpensive banana-crate of the class which isordinarily used to make a single shipment of bananas and afterwarddestroyed. lt is essential in the emliloyment of crates of thistemporary character that they should be eX- ceedingly cheap tomanufacture and at the same time adapted for an easy and convenienttransfer of the fruit during and after shipment, and the banana-crate ofthe present invention is intended to provide a suitable means forclosing and at the same time supporting a bunch of bananas, whichclosure can be readily adjusted and when adjusted will serve the doublecapacity of sealing the crate and positioning the bunch of bananastherein.

Theinvention consists in the features of construction and combination ofparts hereinafter described and claimed.

ln the drawings illustrating the invention, Figure l is a side elevationof the crate, showing a banana-stem projecting therefrom; Fig. 2, asectional elevation of the same, showing` the Hap-cover raised; and Fig.3, the top half of Fig. l.

rlhe crate is preferably constructed of a eylindrical body a, ofpaper-board or similar stiff substance, having around its top an outerhoop and around its bottom a similar outer hoop c, and the crate isclosed at its lower end by means of a bottom (Z of wood or similarsubstance. 'lhe crate is preferably reinforced around its center bymeans of a hoop a, and the seam in the body is reinforced by means of astrip of material f, which is riveted or otherwise secured to theoverlapping edges of the body.

AAt the top of the crate is an inner ring or hoop f/, to which issecured a cover-Hap 71 which consists of two sections vf, each of thesections h avingl an enlarged lower endj, which is secured to the hoopg, and an upper or inner end which is tapered to a point, as shown inFig. 2. The lower or outer edge of each of the sections of the flapextends substantially half-way around the hoop or ring, so that the twosections together are of a size to extend completely around the upperopen edge of the crate.

In use a bunch of bananas is inserted into the crate, preferablyallowing the stem [to project above the top of the crate. after whichthe interior of the crate is preferably filled with straw or similarsoft packing, which serves to protect the bananas during shipment. lnorder to close the crate, the tapered ends 7': of the sections of thecover-flap are brought together, as shown in Figs. l and 3, and tiedinto a knot m around the projecting banana-stem. This tying of the endsdraws the sections of the cover substantially smooth and fiat, as shownin Figs. l and 3, and at the same time holds the banana bunch [irml ycentered and prevents its displacement or knocking against the sides ofthe crate, thereby preserving the bananas from injury. At the same timethe flaps when tied in this manner form a neat, tight, and smoothclosure for the end of the crate, preventing the escape of the straw orother packing and likewise preventing'the withdrawal of the bananabunch. This method of closing the crate enables the closure to beeffected without the necessity of employing cord or similar fasteningfor securing the cover and the banana-stein, thereby simplifying` theoperation of closing the crate and dispensing with thc necessity ofemploying additional means for properly centeringthe banana-stem. Theprojection of the stein furthermore serves as a suitable handle forlifting the crate, which enables the crate to be maintained in avertical position when lifted, which prevents the bananas from being'thrown to one side of the crate and beingI bruised or injured. .lhellapor cover can be constructed of the cheapest grade of cloth, whichenables the crate as a whole to be manufactured at extremely low cost,which is a feature of great importance in the art to which the presentinvention relates.

Although we have described our invention in connection with a crate inwhich the banana-stems project upwardly, it will be understood that wedo not intend to limit ourselves to this construction. On the contrary,we contemplate using our invention, especially the flap-cover, in anyand all positions to which it may be applicable, and this without regardto the presence or absence of feaand provided at its upper end with aflexible tures not expressly mentioned in the Claims. ap-ooverConsisting of two sections, each seo- Vhat we regard as new, and desireto setion having a tapered end for closing the Cure by Letters Patent,isi cover by drawing together and knotting the l. A banana-Crate Closedat its lower end tapered ends, substantially as described.

and provided at its upper end with a tapered ANTON M. MEYER.

Hap-Cover Consisting ofl two sections adapted l PETER COSTA. to havetheir ends drawn together and knotted, i fitnessesr substantially asdescribed. l WM. P. BOND,

Q. A banana-crate closed at its lower end i fALKER BANNING.

